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Why it issues: The current change in Nvidia’s driver necessities has created a big problem for customers with older {hardware}. It will possibly unexpectedly impression many customers, doubtlessly inflicting their methods to turn into inoperable. If nothing else, the replace demonstrates how seemingly minor technical modifications can have profound real-world results on customers, notably these with legacy methods.
Latest Nvidia graphics drivers (model 555 and newer) are inflicting Blue Display screen of Loss of life (BSOD) errors on Home windows PCs with older CPUs that lack the POPCNT (Inhabitants Rely) instruction. This problem impacts Home windows 10 customers with older processors, such because the Core 2 Duo E8400, who’ve current, still-supported Nvidia graphics playing cards just like the GTX 750 Ti and newer. To stop this drawback, affected Home windows 10 customers might have to regulate their Home windows Replace settings to keep away from routinely downloading driver model 555 or newer.
The BSOD error, which shows the error “System thread exception not dealt with,” happens when putting in these drivers on methods with supported Nvidia GPUs however unsupported processors. These errors can result in important issues, together with system instability, information loss, and safety vulnerabilities, particularly if customers can’t boot their methods correctly.
Nonetheless utilizing a Home windows 10/11 PC with out POPCNT CPU directions (e.g., Core 2 Duo), and it has a NVIDIA GPU from the Maxwell era (e.g., GTX 750) or newer put in?
Putting in newest NVDIA drivers causes a SOFT BRICK, it will boot loop till it reaches the Home windows Restoration. pic.twitter.com/5R2JMwdd6N
– Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) August 4, 2024
This case highlights a crucial compatibility problem for Home windows customers with older CPUs and newer Nvidia graphics playing cards. Whereas it’s unclear what number of customers are affected, this mix isn’t unusual, notably amongst budget-conscious customers or these with older methods.
Final month, Nvidia formally introduced the tip of help for older CPUs with out the POPCNT instruction set.
Sadly, there are restricted choices for various graphics drivers that help older CPUs. For instance, Intel offers open-source drivers included in most Linux distributions, however no proprietary options exist. For older AMD/ATI graphics playing cards, unofficial repositories or PPAs (Private Bundle Archives) might present drivers for legacy {hardware}, particularly on Linux methods, however these are usually not formally supported. In some circumstances, open-source options like Nouveau (for Nvidia) or Mesa (for AMD/Intel) might present primary performance for older {hardware}, however usually with restricted efficiency in comparison with proprietary drivers.
In the end, this case underscores the significance of cautious system updates and compatibility checks. It additionally highlights the necessity for customers to watch how {hardware} and software program firms handle legacy help, which might affect their future buying choices and expectations for long-term product reliability.
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